Rare Asian Elephant Born at Chester Zoo

Unnamed female calf born to 12-year-old mother, Sundara, after a 22-month gestation period.

A rare Asian elephant has been born at Chester Zoo. The unnamed
female calf was born to 12-year-old mother Sundara on December 15th
after a 22-month gestation.

Keepers at the zoo said both mother and daughter were doing well
and visitors would be able to see the new arrival from Saturday.

The calf is the 19th elephant to be born at Chester Zoo in its
85-year history and brings the current size of its herd to seven. Five,
including the new calf, are part of the same family called the Hi Ways.

Mum Sundara then gave her a series of little kicks to gently
stimulate and encourage her to her feet … Minutes later, the new arrival was up
and standing and making her first attempts to suckle

“There’s always a lot of excitement among the elephants whenever
there’s a birth … It’s a hugely positive event for the herd.” Said Richard Fraser,
the assistant team manager of the elephants.